Orioles Cheaply Place Veteran Infielder Jonathan Villar on Waivers and Look to Trade Him
By Jerry Trotta
Prepare yourselves, Baltimore Orioles buffs, because this news isn't going to please the eyes.
Roch Kubatko of MASN reported on Wednesday that the club has placed vet infielder Jonathan Villar, one of the team's lone standouts from 2019, on waivers after previously attempting (and failing) to trade him before Monday's deadline to offer contracts to players eligible for arbitration.
#orioles have put infielder Jonathan Villar on waivers. Been trying to trade him before Monday's deadline to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) November 27, 2019
There's no doubting that Villar deserves to play for a contending club, but his production should have warranted better treatment from the Orioles.
The 28-year-old was entering the third and final year of arbitration eligibility after earning just shy of $4.9 million in 2019. For the year, he hit .274/.339/.453 alongside 24 home runs, 73 RBI, 40 stolen bases and 111 runs scored, featuring in ALL 162 games for Baltimore.
Simply put, Villar was an iron man for the O's last season, and the organization has shamefully opted to nickel-and-dime him.
Orioles Reportedly Place Jonathan Villar On Waivers https://t.co/7FlobEGpmj pic.twitter.com/U5DZ1sdo0e
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 27, 2019
Stay tuned for further news regarding Villar, because a club is surely bound to scoop him up in the not too distant future.